Here's a reason to go in Finistere

[Botaivica]

In Finisterre I arrived around noon, I'm not standing in alberge, I continued walk to the lighthouse with a backpack on my back. The feeling of the end of the pilgrimage was strong. Spiritually, I experienced more than in Santiago.

Young pilgrim from Germany, she was already been in Finisterre, she told me that I need to come in the evening and look the sunset.

I believed her and about 8 pm once more I walked from alberge to the lighthouse. It was a little early but wait was worth it.

It was beautiful, indescribable, unforgettable. Pictures can not describe it, that feels, blessedness and glory.

There is a saying "See Rome and die". I think it's much better to say "See the sunset in Finisterre and die"

 

[mspath]

"...But to have been,
This once, completely, even if only once:
To have been at one with the earth, seems beyond undoing."

Rainer Maria Rilke,
9th Duino Elegy

 

[Koidream]

If you reach Santiago de Compostela it is definitely a good idea to keep on walking to Finisterre.
Why? It is only a 3 day walk and it is a 3 days walk in quietness and loneliness. Arriving Finisterre is like achieving a new goal, this time not a spiritual, but a sportive goal. Try it out!

 

[peregrina2000]

I'll agree with that and add a little bit more. If you have a fourth day, add Muxia into the mix. Many forum members (me included) think that Muxia is a more beautiful place than Finisterre, and you can see them both by just adding a day. Then you have the dilemma of figuring out whether to walk first to Muxia and then to Finisterre or first to Finisterre and then Muxia. I've done it both ways and for me, the best is -- Vilaserio (private Albergue) - Dumbria (4 **** municipal Albergue, paid for by the founder of Zara stores) - Muxia - Finisterre.

Though I prefer spending time in Muxia over the more touristy Finisterre, it seems more "proper" to me to end in Finsterre at the lighthouse, and the travel options back to Santiago are much better from Finisterre than Muxia.

Hope to be back next summer! Buen camino, Laurie

 

[pilgrim b]

Thank you for this fine thread and the posters on replies. Just given me an idea of how I could spend a four or five days in Spain. Doing a non walking holiday abroad for a change this year but this could be an add-on to a two weeks in mainland Europe for this year. ( And we still get on Camino) Thank you.

 

[pilgrim b]

Do you Know any details about I think it's called " Robins Nest" ?

 

[Mike Trebert]

My feet were so sore (800kms) that I decided to stop walking at SDC, but I took a day trip by bus to Finisterre and walked to the lighthouse. A wonderful hot sunny day and a longer walk(!) than I expected. I took this picture - it's my favourite pic from my whole Camino. Human world, real world. A Taoist Camino.

Mike.

 

[trecile]

When I walked, Santiago wasn't my goal. My goal was to walk all the way across Spain; from the French border to the End of the Earth. Unfortunately, although it was a beautiful sunny day when I arrived in Finisterre the clouds started rolling in around 5 pm, and there was no sunset to see.
But a few days later I went to Muxia by bus, and witnessed this beautiful sunset.


My avatar pic is also from Muxia. It is a beautiful coastline there.

 

[FLEUR]

I could not escape Santiago soon enough, too busy, too many tourists etc. The walk to Finisterre provided the peace and tranquillity I looked for. Forget the town , yes walk to the lighthouse and see the sunset but for me the breathtaking moment was arriving at the deserted Finisterre beach and looking out across the sea.

We took the bus back to Santiago and had a whole different reaction. Sunshine, blue sky and less crowded. A night off before the train journey home next day.

I regret we didn't have enough time to go to Muxia

 

[FLEUR]

Double post

 

[Botaivica]

As we walk the Way, pass through the hills, fields, plains, also through vineyards and orchards, we are in touch with nature, we are part of this nature.

And at the end of the Way, nature gives us the best of themselves, for forgiveness and gratitude, it gives us a divine sunset.

Marvelously

 

[Meredith1]

The three days I spent in Finisterre were the most calming and restful days I'd ever experienced. In fact, I meant to stay only one night there, but I felt such healing from my slow, solitary, and unburdened walks through the town and out to the lighthouse that I didn't want to leave. I had bused there from Santiago, not feeling up to three more days of walking; I needed restoration. Two of my favorite memories from the time there: on my first evening walk to the lighthouse, I carried a bottle of wine (opened and re-corked by my host at the inn), a crusty bread roll, and some cheese. Sitting on the rocks watching the sun set, I noticed a young man who was as quiet as I was (in contrast to other people there); I offered the bottle, the bread, and the cheese, and there we sat, me a 68-year-old woman from the U.S. and him a maybe 30-something man from Germany, enjoying a special kind of communion.
The other and much more significant event happened when I walked down to the bus station early on the fourth day. I had decided just that morning to take the 8:00 and not the 10:00 bus. Queuing up with others at the stop, I saw a young Austrian in a familiar-looking red jacket -- it was a person I had befriended on a bus ride (while skipping the meseta) and had traveled on foot the rest of the way, off and on, to Santiago. I hadn't seen him since then and assumed I never would. He was one of the very nicest people I know (a medical student at the time, now a full-fledged doctor). So we took the bus together to Santiago and had time for coffee and warm conversation at the end of the ride, and then kept in touch on facebook for a couple of years. I don't usually use the word "healing" about events, but that's the correct word in this case.

 

[KinkyOne]

In Finisterre I arrived around noon, I'm not standing in alberge, I continued walk to the lighthouse with a backpack on my back. The feeling of the end of the pilgrimage was strong. Spiritually, I experienced more than in Santiago.

Young pilgrim from Germany, she was already been in Finisterre, she told me that I need to come in the evening and look the sunset.

I believed her and about 8 pm once more I walked from alberge to the lighthouse. It was a little early but wait was worth it.

It was beautiful, indescribable, unforgettable. Pictures can not describe it, that feels, blessedness and glory.

There is a saying "See Rome and die". I think it's much better to say "See the sunset in Finisterre and die"

Couldn't agree more!

Pozdrav iz Ljubljane, Ivica!

 

[KinkyOne]

"...But to have been,
This once, completely, even if only once:
To have been at one with the earth, seems beyond undoing."

Rainer Maria Rilke,
9th Duino Elegy

Thank you @mspath to bring Duino Elegy out. Not long ago when @timr visited Slovenia we went to the seaside and from the medieval castle high above Koper/Capodistria (Slovenia) and Trst/Trieste (Italy) we were able to see Devin/Duino castle in the distance. Years ago I was visiting the Duino with Rilke's slovenian translation - unforgettable. You should definitely go there

 

[KinkyOne]

Thank you for this fine thread and the posters on replies. Just given me an idea of how I could spend a four or five days in Spain. Doing a non walking holiday abroad for a change this year but this could be an add-on to a two weeks in mainland Europe for this year. ( And we still get on Camino) Thank you.

Consider Camino Ingles which is also very beautiful.

 

[christy wharton]

I could not escape Santiago soon enough, too busy, too many tourists etc. The walk to Finisterre provided the peace and tranquillity I looked for. Forget the town , yes walk to the lighthouse and see the sunset but for me the breathtaking moment was arriving at the deserted Finisterre beach and looking out across the sea.

We took the bus back to Santiago and had a whole different reaction. Sunshine, blue sky and less crowded. A night off before the train journey home next day.

I regret we didn't have enough time to go to Muxia

When I arrived at Finistere beach after 18 hot dry hot days covering 500 km I took off my backpack onto the beach, togged and went straight in to join some locals for a refreshing swim. I swam out and then turned on my back to see a large black cloud above me. The heavens opened suddenly and my pack and clothes got soaked on the beach--I was already wet. I then went to the albergue to dry out and did get to see the sunset at the Lighthouse. On the Camino always be prepared for the unexpected

 

[Botaivica]

The three days I spent in Finisterre were the most calming and restful days I'd ever experienced. In fact, I meant to stay only one night there, but I felt such healing from my slow, solitary, and unburdened walks through the town and out to the lighthouse that I didn't want to leave. I had bused there from Santiago, not feeling up to three more days of walking; I needed restoration. Two of my favorite memories from the time there: on my first evening walk to the lighthouse, I carried a bottle of wine (opened and re-corked by my host at the inn), a crusty bread roll, and some cheese. Sitting on the rocks watching the sun set, I noticed a young man who was as quiet as I was (in contrast to other people there); I offered the bottle, the bread, and the cheese, and there we sat, me a 68-year-old woman from the U.S. and him a maybe 30-something man from Germany, enjoying a special kind of communion.
The other and much more significant event happened when I walked down to the bus station early on the fourth day. I had decided just that morning to take the 8:00 and not the 10:00 bus. Queuing up with others at the stop, I saw a young Austrian in a familiar-looking red jacket -- it was a person I had befriended on a bus ride (while skipping the meseta) and had traveled on foot the rest of the way, off and on, to Santiago. I hadn't seen him since then and assumed I never would. He was one of the very nicest people I know (a medical student at the time, now a full-fledged doctor). So we took the bus together to Santiago and had time for coffee and warm conversation at the end of the ride, and then kept in touch on facebook for a couple of years. I don't usually use the word "healing" about events, but that's the correct word in this case.

Hi Meredith1

I'm not describing all, but I made the same

I bought a bottle of red wine and a packet of cheese with six different kinds of cheese, plastic cup and cigar. I shared it with a young German woman which pointed me at sunset.

Our parting was very touching

 

[KinkyOne]

OK, here's my 2cents from July 12th of this year:

 

[pilgrim b]

Consider Camino Ingles which is also very beautiful.

Hi @ KinkyOne,
Yes a beautiful camino did it in 2014 with peregrino b we loved it. Would be nice to see Anthony at (Meson Nova?spelling?) again but not this year. Thought we might just spend a few days together walking to Finisterre and Muxia and we wondered about the retreat I think it is called "Robins Nest", do you know much about it? Is it still open?

b

 

[KinkyOne]

Hi @ KinkyOne,
Yes a beautiful camino did it in 2014 with peregrino b we loved it. Would be nice to see Anthony at (Meson Nova?spelling?) again but not this year. Thought we might just spend a few days together walking to Finisterre and Muxia and we wondered about the retreat I think it is called "Robins Nest", do you know much about it? Is it still open?

b

Robins Nest doesn't rings a bell, sorry...

 

[Meredith1]

Hi Meredith1

I'm not describing all, but I made the same

I bought a bottle of red wine and a packet of cheese with six different kinds of cheese, plastic cup and cigar. I shared it with a young German woman which pointed me at sunset.

Our parting was very touching

View attachment 30719

How nice - thank you for your comment and for the picture taken of the very spot where I sat with my newly met acquaintance. Isn't it lovely to have such a memory!

 

[lunna]

Muxia! Beautiful as Fisterra is, it just doesn't seem like 'the end' like Muxia does. Muxia is much more tranquil, less touristic, and simply feels like 'beyond the beyond' - just the right place to end a camino.

 

[Botaivica]

How nice - thank you for your comment and for the picture taken of the very spot where I sat with my newly met acquaintance. Isn't it lovely to have such a memory!

Yes Meredith1, nice memory

 

[Thornley]

Sitting in Melide in 2008 , tired after big day, in the famous rester. joined by Harley Davidson riders who were all Spanish.
Where are you going to finish they ask after a few reds ?
Maybe Fisterra we say
Good , you must go past SDC but we regard Muxia as OUR finish,
There guys were in their 60's
We went to both,Fisterra first then Muxia .................but since
Have finished the Portuguese from Porto/ Notre twice and Madrid camino's and all ended in Muxia
Its the serenity and sitting on those rocks outside the church is something that can't be explained.

 

[Bob Bennett]

The sunsets are breathtakingly beautiful both at the lighthouse and at the beach. I remember them with great peace and joy still - 18 months later.

In Finisterre I arrived around noon, I'm not standing in alberge, I continued walk to the lighthouse with a backpack on my back. The feeling of the end of the pilgrimage was strong. Spiritually, I experienced more than in Santiago.

Young pilgrim from Germany, she was already been in Finisterre, she told me that I need to come in the evening and look the sunset.

I believed her and about 8 pm once more I walked from alberge to the lighthouse. It was a little early but wait was worth it.

It was beautiful, indescribable, unforgettable. Pictures can not describe it, that feels, blessedness and glory.

There is a saying "See Rome and die". I think it's much better to say "See the sunset in Finisterre and die"

its are

 

[Nelia L Keiser]

Hi @ KinkyOne,
Yes a beautiful camino did it in 2014 with peregrino b we loved it. Would be nice to see Anthony at (Meson Nova?spelling?) again but not this year. Thought we might just spend a few days together walking to Finisterre and Muxia and we wondered about the retreat I think it is called "Robins Nest", do you know much about it? Is it still open?

b

It might be Fox House

 

[kaixo]

When I walked, Santiago wasn't my goal. My goal was to walk all the way across Spain; from the French border to the End of the Earth.

Ditto!

I could not escape Santiago soon enough, too busy, too many tourists etc. The walk to Finisterre provided the peace and tranquillity I looked for.

Ditto!

It rained buckets and I was shrouded in fog the entire walk from Finisterre to Muxia. Fortunately the sky cleared in the early evening and I got this lovely foto.

Muxia

• kaixo
• Dec 17, 2016
• 2

 

[Oregon's Mark]

In Finisterre I arrived around noon, I'm not standing in alberge, I continued walk to the lighthouse with a backpack on my back. The feeling of the end of the pilgrimage was strong. Spiritually, I experienced more than in Santiago.

Young pilgrim from Germany, she was already been in Finisterre, she told me that I need to come in the evening and look the sunset.

I believed her and about 8 pm once more I walked from alberge to the lighthouse. It was a little early but wait was worth it.

It was beautiful, indescribable, unforgettable. Pictures can not describe it, that feels, blessedness and glory.

There is a saying "See Rome and die". I think it's much better to say "See the sunset in Finisterre and die"

I am planning to travel at the same time, next Spring. How was the weather? The crowd? Mud? Did you use a bag or sleep sack?

 

[Satírico]

In Finisterre I arrived around noon, I'm not standing in alberge, I continued walk to the lighthouse with a backpack on my back. The feeling of the end of the pilgrimage was strong. Spiritually, I experienced more than in Santiago.

Young pilgrim from Germany, she was already been in Finisterre, she told me that I need to come in the evening and look the sunset.

I believed her and about 8 pm once more I walked from alberge to the lighthouse. It was a little early but wait was worth it.

It was beautiful, indescribable, unforgettable. Pictures can not describe it, that feels, blessedness and glory.

There is a saying "See Rome and die". I think it's much better to say "See the sunset in Finisterre and die"

Too much liquid refreshment is another reason "to go in Finisterre",

 

[pilgrim b]

It might be Fox House

Thank you I am sure your right Fox House Nelia.

 

[mspath]

Thank you I am sure your right Fox House Nelia.

Perhaps you mean the Little Fox House. See more here.
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/little-fox-house.43469/#post-449172

 

[pilgrim b]

Perhaps you mean the Little Fox House. See more here.
https://www.caminodesantiago.me/community/threads/little-fox-house.43469/#post-449172

Thank you Margaret that is it. By the way I hope you are well on the way to recovery now after your nasty fall ( I hope I have that information correct) You have been a real inspiration to me as a Septuagenarian,
to place one foot in front of the other and just keep walking. Get well soon and have a wonderful Christmas. That goes for all the other Posters on the forum too!!

 

[Karen Schoenfelder]

We bussed to Finesterre and then walked to Muxia. Liked Finesterre a lot but it was very overcast. We loved Muxia and had a beautiful sunset there. I highly recommend both if you have time. So glad we saw both places. I hope to get back one day.

 

[Meredith1]

Hi @ KinkyOne,
Yes a beautiful camino did it in 2014 with peregrino b we loved it. Would be nice to see Anthony at (Meson Nova?spelling?) again but not this year. Thought we might just spend a few days together walking to Finisterre and Muxia and we wondered about the retreat I think it is called "Robins Nest", do you know much about it? Is it still open?

b

I haven't heard of Robin's Nest & couldn't find anything after googling - but is it possible you might be interested in The Little Fox House (http://www.thelittlefoxhouse.com/)? I don't know it personally, but I read quite a few posts about it around the time I was on my camino (Sept/Oct 2012). A woman I shared a taxi with to SJdPP (who bicycled her camino!) stayed there for a couple of days - said in an e-mail how lovely it was, very supportive, friendly. I had thought it closed down, but apparently not.

 

[Meredith1]

I haven't heard of Robin's Nest & couldn't find anything after googling - but is it possible you might be interested in The Little Fox House (http://www.thelittlefoxhouse.com/)? lovely it was, very supportive, friendly. I had thought it closed down, but apparently not.

Well, I only just now see that several others had offered Fox House as a possibility -- great minds, and all that. Reading some of the comments posted on its site, I see the one from Pat, Yonkers, NY, who is the woman I met.

 

[Botaivica]

I am planning to travel at the same time, next Spring. How was the weather? The crowd? Mud? Did you use a bag or sleep sack?

Hi Oregon's Mark
it's good timing for pilgrimage and the weather was OK. Rain was on the first day in France, and only two day in Spanish. Mud in the Pyrenees, but I went to Valcarlos, no crowds to Sarria.

and by the way, another image